Protective barrier for beverage container lids

ABSTRACT

A protective barrier for a beverage lid surface is disclosed including a top side, a bottom side, wherein the protective barrier is flexible, an outer perimeter, wherein the outer perimeter aligns with the associated beverage lid surface, and an anti-microbial coating, wherein the protective barrier is connected to the beverage lid surface with an adhesive or by using static cling.

This application claims priority to a provisional patent application,Ser. No. 63/173,678, filed Apr. 12, 2021, the contents of which areherein incorporated by reference. The present teachings generallypertain to the field of removable layers and protective barriers. Morespecifically, to removable layers and protective barriers for beveragecontainer lids.

I. BACKGROUND Technical Field

Recent events have left individuals more conscious about their overallhealth and safety. Despite this higher level of concern, manyindividuals still enjoy visiting restaurants, cafes, and drive-throughsfor their favorite food or beverage.

However, when an employee prepares a customer's beverage, their handstouch the beverage lid to secure it to the cup. If the employee's handswere carrying infectious germs, such germs would be left on the lid forthe customer. Consequently, the customer could become sick when drinkingfrom the beverage lid, as the infectious germs touch the customer's lipsand mouth.

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the world's attention toward thespread of contamination facilitated by high touch surfaces. In response,surfaces and coatings capable of minimizing the presence of active viralpathogens are being explored for application in a variety of settingssuch as healthcare centers, long-term care facilities, public transport,schools, and various businesses to reduce human exposure and mitigatethe spread of infectious pathogens. One area of particular significancein the transmission of infectious diseases is the ability of microbes tosurvive on surfaces, both in healthcare settings and on common surfaces.Considerable research has been conducted to investigate solutions thatprevent bacterial transmission and biofilm formation by killing and/orreducing attachment of microbes. These have been realized throughsurface-bound active antimicrobials and biocidal coatings or passivepathogen-repellent surfaces developed using nanomaterials, chemicalmodifications, and micro- and nanostructuring.

While other apparatuses, like protective gloves, form a barrier betweenan employee's skin and the beverage lid, there is still great concernfor the spread of germs. The glove's surface can carry germs from otherobjects that have touched the glove. Likewise, customers have littleknowledge on the type of objects the gloves touch prior to the deliveryof their beverage.

What is needed is a protective layer that covers a beverage lid andprevents the transmission of germs when the lid is being secured to acup. Further, the protective layer should be easily removable when thecustomer receives their beverage.

II. SUMMARY

Provided in this disclosure is a protective layer that includes a topside and a bottom side with an outer perimeter that aligns with adesired beverage lid size.

In accordance with one aspect of the present teachings, the outerperimeter includes a tab to assist in the removal of the protectivelayer.

In accordance with another aspect of the present teachings, the top sideincludes a clear, anti-microbial coating.

In accordance with another aspect of the present teachings, the bottomside includes an exposed, safe, and non-toxic adhesive material thatallows for the protective layer to be placed and secured atop a beveragelid's surface.

In accordance with another aspect of the present teachings, theprotective layer can be removed by separating the bottom side from thebeverage lid's surface.

In accordance with another aspect of the present teachings, the adhesivematerial is sufficiently strong to secure the protective layer to thebeverage lid's surface but is easily removable from the beverage lidsurface such that substantially all of the adhesive material is removedfrom the beverage lid surface.

Other benefits and advantages will become apparent to those skilled inthe art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of thefollowing detailed specification.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present teachings are described hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a top-down view of the protective layer;

FIG. 2 shows an angled view of the protective layer's top side andbottom side;

FIG. 3 shows a flat view of the protective layer's top side and bottomside in varying sizes in accordance with the present teachings;

FIG. 4 shows a top-down view of the protective layer being placed on thebeverage lid in accordance with the present teachings;

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the protective layer, beverage, beveragelid, and beverage lid surface in accordance with the present teachings;

FIG. 6 shows a profile view of the protective layer to demonstrate thelayers in accordance with the present teachings.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating the present teachings of the article only and not forpurposes of limiting the same, and wherein like reference numerals areunderstood to refer to like components.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, a protective layer 6 is provided forbeverage lid 24 protection. The protective layer 6 comprises a top side10, a bottom side 12, an outer perimeter 8, and a tab 18. FIG. 1 shows atop-down view of the protective layer 6 in one optional shape to secureatop a beverage lid surface 26. In one aspect of the present teaching,the protective layer 6 can be structurally adapted to fit atop thebeverage lid surface 26 having multiple contour shapes. In anotheraspect of the present teaching, the protective layer 6 can cover theentirety of the beverage lid 24, including the beverage lid surface 26.In this aspect, the protective layer 6 can be adapted and formed to fitmultiple contour shapes of the beverage lid 24. In another aspect of thepresent teachings, the protective layer 6 can be used on any lidcovering any food or beverage.

Further referring to FIGS. 1-2, the protective layer 6 is sufficientlypliable to prevent breaking or cracking when applied to the beverage lidsurface 26. FIG. 2 demonstrates the pliability by allowing the outerperimeter 8 to bend to reveal the bottom side 12. In one aspect of thepresent teaching, the protective layer 6 can be produced from anymaterial. In another aspect of the present teaching, the protectivelayer 6 can be any thickness that allows for removal of the protectivelayer 6 from the beverage lid surface 26.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, an anti-microbial material 16 coatsthe entire or partial top side 10 to eliminate the presence ofdisease-causing microbes. By anti-microbial it is meant a material orsubstance that is destructive to or inhibiting the growth ofmicroorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi (like mold andmildew), and even dust-mites. In one aspect of the present teaching, theanti-microbial material 16 can be any anti-microbial material that aidsin the elimination of disease-causing microbes. In another aspect of thepresent teaching, the anti-microbial material 16 is transparent,allowing for enhanced aesthetical appeal. In another aspect of thepresent teaching, the anti-microbial material 16 coats the entire orpartial bottom side 12. In this aspect, the anti-microbial material 16immediately evaporates when the protective layer 6 is removed from thebeverage lid surface 26. In another aspect of the present teaching, noanti-microbial material 16 is included on the top side 10 or the bottomside 12.

With respect to the anti-microbial material 16, it is to be understoodthat any anti-microbial material can be used. As a non-exhaustive list,the following materials can be used: copper and its alloys (brass,bronze, cupronickel, copper-nickel-zinc), silver, organosilanes,quaternary ammonium, chitosan, polycationic heteropolysaccharides,heparin, ε-polylysine, polyacrylamides, polyacrylates, polysiloxanes,polyionenes, polyoxazolines, hyperbranched and dendritic polymers,polyguanidines, polybiguanides, peptides, fluorine containing polymers(such as 2-[(4-fluorophenyl)amino]-2-oxoethyl-2methylacrylate), chlorinecontaining polymers, N-halamine compounds, silver nanoparticles,nanosilver-based nanocomposites, silver-liposome, photocatalytictitanium dioxide, fullerol, aqueous fullerene nanoparticles, essentialoils (generally composed of a mixture of terpenes, terpinoids,aldehydes, and alcohols, and carbon nanotubes.

Now referring to FIGS. 1-2, 4, and 6, an adhesive material 14 is appliedto the entire or partial bottom side 12 to adhere the protective layer 6to the beverage lid surface 26. The adhesive material 14 includes enoughstrength to form a seal between the protective layer 6 and the beveragelid surface 26. The adhesive material 14 is easily removable from thebeverage lid surface 26. In one aspect of the present teaching, upon theremoval of the protective layer 6, all, or substantially all, of theadhesive material 14 is removed from the beverage lid surface 26. Inanother aspect of the present teaching, the seal between the protectivelayer 6 and the beverage lid surface 26 can be achieved throughnon-adhesive static cling.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, tab 18 is used to assist in removing theprotective layer 6 from the beverage lid surface 26. Tab 18 allows forremoval of the protective layer 6 without compromising the protectivelayer 6. In one aspect of the present teaching, tab 18 is fastened tothe outer perimeter 8. In another aspect of the present teaching, tab 18is fastened anywhere on the top side 10 to aid in the removal of theprotective layer 6 from the beverage lid surface 26. In another aspectof the present teaching, the protective layer 6 and the outer perimeter8 extend circumferentially beyond the size of the beverage lid surface26. In this aspect, the protective layer 6 can be removed from thebeverage lid surface 26 by gripping anywhere along the outer perimeter 8and peeling the protective layer 6 from the beverage lid surface 26.

Now referring to FIG. 3, the protective layer 6 can vary in size tocorrespond to various dimensions of beverage lids 24. In one aspect ofthe present teaching, the thickness of the protective layer 6 can bebetween about 0.0076 mm and about 0.2032 mm (including, but not limitedto 0.0089 mm, 0.0102 mm, 0.0114 mm, 0.0127 mm, 0.0140 mm, 0.0152 mm,0.0165 mm, 0.0178 mm, 0.0191 mm, 0.0203 mm, 0.0216 mm, 0.0229 mm, 0.0241mm, 0.0254 mm, 0.0279 mm, 0.0305 mm, 0.0330 mm, 0.0356 mm, 0.0381 mm.0.0406 mm, 0.0432 mm, 0.0457 mm, 0.0483 mm, 0.0508 mm, 0.0533 mm, 0.0558mm, 0.0583 mm, 0.0608 mm, 0.0633 mm, 0.0658 mm, 0.0683 mm, 0.0708 mm,0.0733 mm, 0.0758 mm, 0.0783 mm, 0.0808 mm, 0.0833 mm, 0.0858 mm, 0.0883mm, 0.0908 mm, 0.0933 mm, 0.0958 mm, 0.0983 mm, 0.1008 mm, 0.1033 mm,0.1058 mm, 0.1083 mm, 0.1108 mm, 0.1133 mm, 0.1158 mm, 0.1183 mm, 0.1208mm, 0.1233 mm, 0.1258 mm, 0.1283 mm, 0.1308 mm, 0.1333 mm, 0.1358 mm,0.1383 mm, 0.1408 mm, 0.1433 mm, 0.1458 mm, 0.1483 mm, 0.1508 mm, 0.1533mm, 0.1558 mm, 0.1583 mm, 0.1608 mm, 0.1633 mm, 0.1658 mm, 0.1683 mm,0.1708 mm, 0.1733 mm, 0.1758 mm, 0.1783 mm, 0.1808 mm, 0.1833 mm, 0.1858mm, 0.1883 mm, 0.1908 mm, 0.1933 mm, 0.1958 mm, 0.1983 mm, 0.2008 mm,and 0.2032 mm.

Referring to FIG. 5, the protective layer 6 and the outer perimeter 8correspond and align circumferentially with the beverage lid surface 26.In one aspect of the present teaching, the beverage lid surface 26 issmaller in diameter than the beverage lid 24. In this aspect, the bottomside 12 of protective layer 6 covers the beverage lid surface 26 toprotect the surface from disease causing microbes.

In one aspect of the present teaching, the protective layer 6 is opaque.In this aspect, the beverage lid surface 26 is not visible when theprotective layer 6 is fastened to the surface. In another aspect of thepresent teaching, the protective layer 6 is transparent. In this aspect,the beverage lid surface 26 is visible when the protective layer 6 isfastened to the surface. In another aspect of the present teaching, theprotective layer 6 is translucent. In this aspect, the beverage lidsurface 26 is semi-visible when the protective layer 6 is fastened tothe surface. In another aspect of the present teaching, the protectivelayer 6 is colored. In this aspect, the protective layer 6 is coloredaccording to user request.

In one aspect of the present teaching, the top side 10 of the protectivelayer 6 includes an insignia or design, allowing for enhanced aestheticappeal.

Clause 1—A protective barrier for an associated beverage lid surface,the protective barrier including a top side, a bottom side, wherein theprotective barrier is flexible, an outer perimeter, wherein the outerperimeter aligns with the associated beverage lid surface, and ananti-microbial coating.

Clause 2—The protective barrier of clause 1, wherein the protectivebarrier further includes an adhesive layer on the bottom side.

Clause 3—The protective barrier of clauses 1 or 2, wherein theprotective barrier further includes a tab connected to the outerperimeter.

Clause 4—The protective barrier of clauses 1-3, wherein theanti-microbial coating is on the top side.

Clause 5—The protective barrier of clauses 1-3, wherein theanti-microbial coating is on the bottom side, wherein the anti-microbialcoating will evaporate upon removal of the protective barrier from theassociated beverage container lid.

Clause 6—The protective barrier of clauses 1-5, wherein the protectivebarrier is between about 0.0076 mm and about 0.2032 mm.

Clause 7—The protective barrier of clauses 1, 3-6, wherein theprotective barrier is adapted to attach to the associated beveragecontainer lid via static cling.

Clause 8—The protective barrier of clauses 1-7, wherein the protectivebarrier covers the entire surface of the beverage container lid.

Clause 9—The protective barrier of clauses 1-8, wherein the outerperimeter is larger than a perimeter of the beverage container lid.

Clause 10—The protective barrier of clauses 1-9, wherein the protectivebarrier is opaque, transparent, or translucent.

Clause 11—The protective barrier of clauses 1-6, 9, and 10, wherein theadhesive layer is adapted to be fully removable when the protectivebarrier is removed from the associated beverage container lid.

Clause 12—The protective barrier of clauses 1-11, wherein the protectivebarrier further includes a tab connected to the top side.

Clause 13—A protective barrier for an associated beverage lid surface,the protective barrier including a top side, a bottom side, wherein theprotective barrier is flexible, an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesivelayer is either on the bottom side, wherein the adhesive layer isadapted to be fully removable when the protective barrier is removedfrom the associated beverage container lid, an outer perimeter, whereinthe outer perimeter aligns with the associated beverage lid surface, atab, wherein the tab is connected to either the top side or the outerperimeter, and an anti-microbial coating, wherein the anti-microbialcoating is either on the top side or the bottom side, wherein theprotective barrier is between about 0.0076 mm and about 0.2032 mm,wherein the protective barrier is opaque, transparent, or translucent.

Clause 14—The protective barrier of clause 13, wherein the protectivebarrier covers the entire surface of the beverage container lid.

Clause 15—The protective barrier of clauses 13 or 14, wherein the outerperimeter is larger than a perimeter of the beverage container lid.

Clause 16—The protective barrier of clauses 1-15, wherein theanti-microbial coating is chosen from at least one of the following:copper and its alloys (brass, bronze, cupronickel, copper-nickel-zinc),silver, organosilanes, quaternary ammonium, chitosan, polycationicheteropolysaccharides, heparin, ε-polylysine, polyacrylamides,polyacrylates, polysiloxanes, polyionenes, polyoxazolines, hyperbranchedand dendritic polymers, polyguanidines, polybiguanides, peptides,fluorine containing polymers (such as2-[(4-fluorophenyl)amino]-2-oxoethyl-2methylacrylate), chlorinecontaining polymers, N-halamine compounds, silver nanoparticles,nanosilver-based nanocomposites, silver-liposome, photocatalytictitanium dioxide, fullerol, aqueous fullerene nanoparticles, essentialoils (generally composed of a mixture of terpenes, terpinoids,aldehydes, and alcohols, and carbon nanotubes.

Non-limiting aspects have been described, hereinabove. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods andapparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departingfrom the general scope of the present subject matter. It is intended toinclude all such modifications and alterations in so far as they comewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Having thus described the present teachings, it is now claimed:

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective barrier for an associated beverage lid surface, the protective barrier comprising: a top side; a bottom side, wherein the protective barrier is flexible; an outer perimeter, wherein the outer perimeter aligns with the associated beverage lid surface; and an anti-microbial coating.
 2. The protective barrier of claim 1, wherein the protective barrier further comprises: an adhesive layer on the bottom side.
 3. The protective barrier of claim 2, wherein the protective barrier further comprises: a tab connected to the outer perimeter.
 4. The protective barrier of claim 1, wherein the anti-microbial coating is on the top side.
 5. The protective barrier of claim 1, wherein the anti-microbial coating is on the bottom side, wherein the anti-microbial coating will evaporate upon removal of the protective barrier from the associated beverage container lid.
 6. The protective barrier of claim 1, wherein the protective barrier is between about 0.0076 mm and about 0.2032 mm.
 7. The protective barrier of claim 1, wherein the protective barrier is adapted to attach to the associated beverage container lid via static cling.
 8. The protective barrier of claim 1, wherein the protective barrier covers the entire surface of the beverage container lid.
 9. The protective barrier of claim 1, wherein the outer perimeter is larger than a perimeter of the beverage container lid.
 10. The protective barrier of claim 1, wherein the protective barrier is opaque, transparent, or translucent.
 11. The protective barrier of claim 2, wherein the adhesive layer is adapted to be fully removable when the protective barrier is removed from the associated beverage container lid.
 12. The protective barrier of claim 1, wherein the protective barrier further comprises: a tab connected to the top side.
 13. The protective barrier of claim 9, wherein the protective barrier further comprises: an adhesive layer on the bottom side.
 14. The protective barrier of claim 9, wherein the anti-microbial coating is on the top side.
 15. The protective barrier of claim 9, wherein the anti-microbial coating is on the bottom side, wherein the anti-microbial coating will evaporate upon removal of the protective barrier from the associated beverage container lid.
 16. The protective barrier of claim 9, wherein the protective barrier is between about 0.0076 mm and about 0.2032 mm.
 17. The protective barrier of claim 9, wherein the protective barrier is adapted to attach to the associated beverage container lid via static cling.
 18. A protective barrier for an associated beverage lid surface, the protective barrier comprising: a top side; a bottom side, wherein the protective barrier is flexible; an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer is either on the bottom side, wherein the adhesive layer is adapted to be fully removable when the protective barrier is removed from the associated beverage container lid; an outer perimeter, wherein the outer perimeter aligns with the associated beverage lid surface; a tab, wherein the tab is connected to either the top side or the outer perimeter; and an anti-microbial coating, wherein the anti-microbial coating is either on the top side or the bottom side, wherein the protective barrier is between about 0.0076 mm and about 0.2032 mm, wherein the protective barrier is opaque, transparent, or translucent.
 19. The protective barrier of claim 18, wherein the protective barrier covers the entire surface of the beverage container lid.
 20. The protective barrier of claim 18, wherein the outer perimeter is larger than a perimeter of the beverage container lid. 